The Raccoons

Our nightly raccoon visitors are always up to something interesting. These clever masked bandits (Procyon lotor) have made Cedar Rise a regular stop on their evening rounds, and their antics provide endless entertainment — and occasional mischief.

The Night Shift

As darkness falls over Cedar Rise, the raccoons emerge. We’ve spotted them through the windows, their eyes glowing in the porch light as they investigate every corner of the property. Their dexterous paws probe and explore, finding things to investigate that we didn’t even know existed.

Clever Characters

Raccoons are remarkably intelligent, and ours are no exception. They’ve learned the rhythms of the household, know which spots are most likely to yield interesting finds, and have demonstrated problem-solving abilities that continue to surprise us. We’ve learned to secure anything we don’t want investigated.

Peaceful Coexistence

The raccoons and Lady Friend have reached an understanding. They operate on different schedules — she’s active during the day, they rule the night — and when their paths do cross, there’s a mutual respect that prevents conflict. Both parties seem to understand that Cedar Rise is big enough to share.

Part of the Ecosystem

The raccoons play an important role in our local ecosystem. They help control insect populations, clean up fallen fruit, and contribute to the balance of life at Cedar Rise. While we take care to not encourage too much closeness, we’ve come to appreciate their place in our little corner of the Pacific Northwest.